In the height of summer, with the sky accumulating sweltering heat and rain threatening, a tea ceremony showcasing the beauty of humanity unfolds leisurely at Fengcha Secret Realm, located on 41st Road in the Taichung Industrial Zone!

Stepping into the tea ceremony venue, where lush bamboo and orchids are arranged in a pleasing, harmonious way, the staff warmly offer a cup of welcome cold brew tea. The "Jade Cup" from the Gazebo series truly lives up to its name—rich and mellow, with a refreshingly sweet taste that instantly dispels the summer heat. Looking around, one can see the skillful and innovative work of florist Lin Liling, who uses bamboo, orchids, Taiwanese lilies, withered wood, moss, wildflowers, and other materials. Using lanterns as a metaphor for the moon, she projects bamboo shadows onto the walls with natural light, perfectly embodying the Zen saying of Master Xuefeng: "Bamboo shadows sweep the street, yet the dust remains unmoved; the moon's reflection pierces the pond, leaving no trace"—a Zen concept of the unity of reality and illusion. Six elegantly styled tea tables are arranged throughout the venue, where guests sit and chat, enjoying a tranquil and peaceful atmosphere, as if they were in a secluded mountain forest.

Mr. Tsai Shih-Wei, the founder of Yuan Rong Hall, succinctly explained the purpose of the tea ceremony and the tea served today. The teas were the "Bi Liu Oolong" and "Fang Gui Oolong" from the Gazebo series, which won the highest honor of "Superior Taste Award" at the 2017 Belgium iTQi International Taste Quality Evaluation with a three-star medal. Afterwards, Ms. Chen Yu-Ting, a teacher of international grand tea ceremony, gave a tea culture lecture, explaining the beauty of the tea ceremony in terms of the concept of "one heart and two leaves".

Teacher Chen Yuting led the seated guests to explore the six tea settings: "Leisure," "Midsummer," "Summer Lotus and Clear Tea," "Clear Spring and New Cicada," "A Piece of Jade by the Roadside," and "Summer Whispers." Each setting, arranged with the unique experience and aesthetic design of its six tea masters, presented a distinctive and delightful scene. During the teacher's explanation, the tea masters demonstrated the standard tea-brewing procedure: "warming, placing, pouring, and serving." The first brew was made with the fragrant "Azure Stream Oolong" tea, paired with Yuan Rong 's blue-and-white underglaze red covered cup. The tea liquor was bright, the aroma elegant, and the flavor clear yet not thin. We then interacted with the tea masters, observing and savoring the experience with quietude and respect. Yuan Rong Rongtang specially selected Yilan cakes with dried citrus fruits and refreshing mung bean cakes, perfectly complementing the floral and fruity aromas and smooth taste of the tea. The second tea, "Fang Gui Oolong," is a ripe tea that has been roasted three to four times. The tea master changed the brewing vessel to a Yixing clay teapot, "choosing the vessel according to the tea" so that it could better release the aroma and flavor of the tea and express its mellow and sweet aftertaste.

"Savoring a cup of tea allows one to appreciate the natural fragrance of herbs, water vapor, earth energy, and falling leaves, experiencing the beauty of the four seasons, the splendor of mountains and rivers, and even the freshness of life." Under the poetic language, tea culture lectures provide tea lovers with a realistic and extensive understanding of tea ceremony culture. A tea ceremony is a time for self-reflection and dialogue. As we savor the beautiful tea before us, watch the elegant movements of the tea master, and feel the aroma of tea and herbs filling the air, we reflect on how we often rush through life. Now, the humanistic beauty of a tea ceremony can bring a sense of tranquility back to life. Where there is tea, every day is a good day. The captivating and soothing nature of Taiwanese tea art lies in the tangible value of tea ceremony culture.

time :106/06/12
Place :Yuan Rong